Franco Smith makes two changes for Champions Cup Quarter Final

Having booked their spot in the quarter-finals with a 25-21 victory over the Vodacom Bulls last weekend, the Warriors face the three-time champions for the fourth consecutive season as they look to book their place in the final four.

An unchanged front-row sees Patrick Schickerling – one of Glasgow’s four try-scorers at Scotstoun last time out – continue at loose-head, packing down alongside Gregor Hiddleston and Zander Fagerson up front.

Jare Oguntibeju partners Alex Samuel in the second row, the former coming into the starting XV for the showdown with the French heavyweights.

The back-row sees Jack Dempsey line up at number eight, with Rory Darge and Matt Fagerson – the top tackler in the Investec Champions Cup to date – completing the loose forward trio.

Behind the scrum, Ben Afshar starts at scrum-half in place of the injured George Horne, as he partners Dan Lancaster in the half-backs.

Last weekend’s Player of the Match, Stafford McDowall, continues at outside centre, lining up alongside Sione Tuipulotu as the midfield combination.

Kyle Steyn once again leads his team from the wing, as the back-three is rounded out by Ollie Smith and Josh McKay.

The bench sees Seb Stephen included in the week that the hooker signed his first professional contract with the Warriors, as Jamie Bhatti and Sam Talakai complete the front-row cover available to Smith and his coaching team.

Max Williamson rotates to the bench after starting last time out, with Angus Fraser and Euan Ferrie completing a six-two split of forwards and backs.

The back-line is covered by Adam Hastings and Jack Oliver, the latter set to make his first appearance in the Investec Champions Cup should he come off the bench.

Speaking following selection, Head Coach Smith told glasgowwarriors.org: “Toulon are well accustomed to knockout matches of this scale, with a proud heritage of success in this competition.

“They have a squad that blends a physical forward pack with a back line that can cause problems for any team, and we know that we must be at our best to meet their challenge.

“The atmosphere at Scotstoun for our European fixtures this season has been second to none, and we know that the Warrior Nation will be behind us all the way again tomorrow afternoon.”

Glasgow Warriors team to face RC Toulon at Scotstoun, Saturday 11 April, kick-off 3pm.

1 Patrick Schickerling (23)
2 Gregor Hiddleston (42)
3 Zander Fagerson (170)
4 Jare Oguntibeju (18)
5 Alex Samuel (51)
6 Matt Fagerson (137)
7 Rory Darge (76)
8 Jack Dempsey (64)

9 Ben Afshar (35)
10 Dan Lancaster (17)
11 Ollie Smith (61)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (81)
13 Stafford McDowall (111)
14 Kyle Steyn (C) (104)
15 Josh McKay (76)

Replacements

16 Seb Stephen (15)
17 Jamie Bhatti (134)
18 Sam Talakai (38)
19 Max Williamson (46)
20 Euan Ferrie (53)
21 Angus Fraser (28)
22 Jack Oliver (5)
23 Adam Hastings (86)

Unavailable for selection: Gregor Brown (hamstring), Alex Craig (foot), Scott Cummings (calf), Jamie Dobie (shoulder), George Horne (ankle), Charlie Savala (knee), Tavi Tuipulotu (knee).